Stuff Parents Need - Easing the chaos in the nest, one find at a time.

(Contest!) Giving the Rug the Boot: Mohawk SmartStrand Bound Carpet Review

June 22, 2015 · by Tiffany Merritt · 1 Comment

Special thanks to Mohawk for the complimentary bound carpet for test purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own, as always.

I purchased an area rug for our living room 8 years, 2 houses ago, and before we had the pitter patter of tiny feet in our home. As you might imagine, said rug has served its time, and we have been in need of something that fit better with our current home. Oh, and that didn’t have dried up Play-Doh and cranberry juice stains all over it, too.

But here’s the thing: we are still in the “I can’t have anything nice” season of life, since our children are only 3 and 5. Getting a new carpet now seems a bit premature, even though we are actually long overdue.

That’s where the beauty of Mohawk’s SmartStrand Forever Clean bound carpet comes into play. It’s not actually a rug, but carpet that you can have bound to your specifications (which makes it an AWESOME choice for odd-size rooms or even simply for your bottom line!).

This is the carpet of your dreams if you are a parent. You have GOT to see this video I was part of where we tested SmartStrand carpet by soaking it in concentrated Kool-Aid for 24 hours, giving it time to dry with the stain set. Oh yes, you are gonna want to see this!

I KNOW, RIGHT?!?!

I SO love that you can get this carpet in a bound form because that means you can try this out without having to necessarily replace your wall-to-wall carpeting (although if it’s time for that, isn’t this stuff AWESOME?!)

Since we went for a 6×9 bound carpet, we wanted to have a bit of a pattern in it so that it would look a little more decorative. Mohawk has DOZENS of really beautiful patterns, and we ultimately chose Natural Glory in the color Highland Mist (one of 24 color options for this particular pattern). Here it is!

This is in the central room of our house: where the living room meets the dining room meets the kitchen. I actually call it Grand Central Station on account of all the foot traffic through this area! Any carpet we put here has really got to be ready for some serious action. And in the past week that we have had it, allow me to show you just a few examples of how my girls have put this carpet to the test, even after being (politely) lectured about how we needed to be extra careful with it.

The girls put down their stamping activity ON the carpet one evening when I called them to the dinner table.

After mid-morning snack. How does one even leave bunny grahams uneaten? The world is full of mystery, friends.

The scene after my youngest asked if she could color. Coloring seemed SO harmless, you guys. But as I prepped lunch she dumped out her crayons and walked all over them. 🙁

And yet, despite these instances of carelessness on the part of my kids (as well as an incident where half of a fresh strawberry was SQUISHED into the carpet) it still looks like this:

Nice and clean and new! I know, I know…it’s only been a week. But I’m not panicking about the stains that are ahead of us, and I’m not worried that this carpet is going to have a short tenure in our home. I think it’s here for the long haul and will survive this season of life, and even be with us during the next season. The “parents just don’t understand!” season, as I have been told.

Mohawk’s SmartStrand Forever Clean carpet is the ONLY capret with built-in stain and soil resistance that will NEVER wear or wash off. In most instances you will be able to get your messes out with water or a little mild detergent (in the video above we ONLY used water!). We absolutely LOVE our Mohawk bound carpet and wouldn’t hesitate to get another one.

You can purchase SmartStrand Forever Clean carpet in any size, or in wall-to-wall by getting in touch wit your local independ Mohawk retailer (find them here).

And don’t forget to connect with Mohawks on social media to keep up to date on their latest promotions, innovations, inspirations and contests! Follow them on Facebook, Twitter,Pinterest, Instagram and Google+.

Contest!

You lucky ducks! From now until July 10th, Mohawk is running the My Dream Floor contest, and you an enter to win $4,000 toward a purchase of Mohawk’s ArmorMax hardwood or laminate (Oh yeah! They do more than carpet!). It’s a SUPER simple entry where you pick the flooring you like best (get ready to drool!) and enter your basic contact info. Takes just a few seconds! Someone is going to win…why shouldn’t it be YOU?!

Cooking with Littles: Raddish Cooking Club Subscrition Box Review

June 22, 2015 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

Complimentary box provided for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I never really learned to cook while I was growing up. Cooking wasn’t really a strength for either of my parents (Corned beef hash? From a can? Sorry, guys…). It’s a skill I had to fumble through during the early years of my marriage (apologies, Tim) and it’s not something I want my daughters to fear in any way.

But cooking a skill that has to be taught; it isn’t intuitive. Being comfortable in the kitchen takes some practice.

So I was very intrigued to see a cooking themed subscription box for kids called Raddish (Get it? Rad dish?). Darah and I did an unboxing video so that you can see exactly what’s inside a typical box. Take a moment to check it out!

Understandably, my girls were eager to make the carrot cake first. We got out our ingredients, which were very beautifully listed for us in our laminated recipe card, and mommy, quite honestly, got overwhelmed.

Because I have the arms of a T-Rex, I couldn’t even capture half of the stuff I had to haul out and put on the table. I was annoyed; this was going to be too much work.

But you guys, here’s the thing: I went into this with the totally wrong attitude. I went into this project wanting to work at the speed I would work all by myself. I didn’t want to lay out all the ingredients. I didn’t want the girls to make a mess. I wanted to get in and out of the kitchen FAST. That’s my cooking style! And actually, it’s a GREAT one that I won’t apologize for having.

BUT

If I’m going to teach my girls how to cook, then I simply must slow my roll and get comfortable being a little uncomfortable. Cooking, just like many other skills we teach our kids (reading, writing, even using the potty!) take a great deal of effort on our part, but once we impart those skills, then we have given our children precious gifts that will last a lifetime.

Also? There are fringe benefits to having that special time together in the kitchen.

When Darah realized that she would be licking the beaters clean, she exclaimed, “Oh cool! We are clean eating!”

Yes, child. That’s a kind of clean eating that I can get behind!

So, yes. Cooking with your kids is messy and takes a long time. Getting a Raddish box doesn’t change that. But it does make some of the steps a bit quicker for you (recipe lists, recipe ideas, supplementary activities, etc.) and it certainly is fun in the end. I would order it again! 🙂

Rad Savings

Raddish subscription boxes are $24/month (you can get a 6 month subscription for $22/box or a 12 month subscripion for $20/box). If you’d like to get a 3, 6 or 12 month membership, your first box will be 25% off by using the code DELICIOUSSTUFF.

How I Leave My Purse at Home

June 20, 2015 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

Product sample provided for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own, as always.

I remember all too well how AMAZING it felt each time I finished potty training one of my girls and got to STOP toting around that diaper bag.

Oh sweet freedom!

Many of you know that feeling, too. And if you are still waiting for your turn to liberate yourself from the diaper bag, it’s coming, promise.

But imagine this, if you will:

Imagine going to the gym without your bag (or maybe just imagine going to the gym…no shame, sisters!) 😉
Imagine taking your kids to the park and not leaving your wallet in the car, but instead back at your house.
Imagine a trip to the weekend farmer’s market with some cash, your ID and your phone, and that’s it.

These are all virtually impossible for women because our clothes don’t have intense pockets that can handle our phones and our keys and such. I have quite a few pairs of pants with no pockets all!

Can I show you something, friend? Can I show you a cool little fashion accessory I’ve been rocking, much to the chagrin of my (truly) beloved Coach bag?

This is the Anne sash by Trabeca, and I KNOW what you are thinking: “Is that a, um, FANNY pack?” I thought it, too. And then I scoped out the website and saw how incredibly slim the designs were on the models, as well as how nice the designs looked (love that clasp!). But even after I agreed to try it out, I was nervous that I had been hoodwinked into rocking a fanny pack.

But when the Anne arrived and I tried her own, we became instant besties! She’s not going to hold all the junk you would normally throw in a purse, so you have to choose carefully! But she will hold keys, a few cards and a phone. And there are many instances where that’s really all you need.

My favorite time to wear the Anne is when I have on yoga pants (so, um, all the time), which of course don’t have pockets. I can dash over to the coffee shop near my home without having to drag my purse with me. My keys and my cards go in the front pouch, and my phone (just got the iPhone 6) fits snugly in the back. I don’t think a 6S will fit in this particular design, though I think they have a different design that will accommodate that size phone.

The models on the Trabeca website sport their sashes over their tops, and they look cute. I have not been able to replicate this look and also look cute, so I’m just wearing it over my pants but under my shirt. I’m surprised and delighted by how flat it lays; it’s not at all bulky! The sizing of the belts is the key here: you want to get your measurments right so that you get the sash that will wear the best on you!

While I’m not ditching my purse altogether, the Anne sash from Trabeca is definitely going to get a lot of use around here, as there are times when I could really use one less thing to carry! The Anne is $46. Be sure to check out their other 3 designs to find the sash that is just right for you!

Do you REALLY Need Sunscreen on a Cloudy Day?

June 20, 2015 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

I participated in a #ChooseSkinHealth Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Neutrogena. I received samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

This morning my crew headed outside for a little back yard play time while the temperature was still bearable The clouds were plentiful, so everyone started to go outside WITHOUT sunscreen.

And I really do understand the temptation. Those hot UVB rays aren’t barreling down on you when the sun is behind the clouds, so the risk of sunburn is lessened.

But friends, sunburn, or an immediate damage of the skin, is not the only thing you need to worry about. UVA rays, which can pretty easily pass through clouds, cause damage that you may not be able to see immediately, but that you will certainly feel in the long run. Wrinkles are one examples. So is skin cancer. Did you know that 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer, and yet only 20% of Americans regularly use sunscreen?

So I interrupted the play time for just a few minutes so that we could all get lathered up. This summer we’re really enjoying the Neutrogena Sun Care products, 5 of which were awarded the National Eczema Association (NEA) Seal of Acceptance.

NEUTROGENA® Pure & Free® Baby Faces Ultra Gentle Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45+
NEUTROGENA® Pure & Free® Baby Sunscreen Stick Broad Spectrum SPF 60
NEUTROGENA® Pure & Free® Baby Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 60+
NEUTORGENA® Sensitive Skin Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 60+
NEUTROGENA® Pure & Free™ Liquid Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50

Our youngest had a reaction to a different brand of sunscreen this spring, so this has put me on alert to choose products that are good for sensitive skin. Neutrogena is a brand we have used for years and that has always performed beautifully and kept our skin happy.

It only takes a few minutes to put on sunscreen, and those few minutes can also be spent having a converstaion about what you are doing and why it is important. Once your kids understand why skin health is so important, you can help them get in the habit of applying sunscreen or of asking you for help with their application. Darah reminds me frequently; she’s cultivated a habit that is stronger than my own! neutrogena skin health 3

Another reason we are working on getting in the habit of applying sunscreen on sunny OR cloudy days is because melanoma runs in my husband’s family. This puts Tim and our girls even MORE at risk than the general population, so daily sunscreen protection is really key for us. The Neutrogena Suncare line has several options that are purse friendly which can help with reapplication throughout the day when out and about.

You can find Neutrogena Sun Care products in-store and online at Walmart. For more information please visit Walmart.com. If you’ve already tried some of the products in the Neutrogena line, please take a moment to write a review for others to see on the Neutrogena website.

3 Things to Keep in Mind When Trying to Conceive (TTC)

June 18, 2015 · by Tiffany Merritt · 7 Comments

Astroglide TTC™ sponsored this blog post. The opinions and text are all mine.

I remember all too well when Tim and I first decided that we were ready to expand our family and turn 2 into 3. It was an exciting season that all too rapidly became stressful, at least for me. I hope that some advice I can offer on this side of the journey can help those of you out there who are thinking about trying to conceive or already on that path, and maybe even getting a little stressed out!

1. Statistically-Speaking, This Will Take a While
I spent so many years of my adult, married life actively trying to prevent pregnancy. So I assumed that taking contraception off the table was like moving the critical Jenga piece…the tower would fall, or in this case, I would just no longer NOT be pregnant, right?I mean, maybe. For some that does happen. But for healthy couples with no obvious obstacles in their way (such as advanced maternal age, PCOS, low sperm count, etc.), it is perfectly normal for it to take 6 months or longer to get pregnant. I was totally clueless about that fact, and I wish I had realized and accepted it sooner and not spent those months being very frustrated.
2. Sex Will ChangeThere is a very distinct difference between sex for fun and intimacy and sex with the goal of creating a baby. It’s just not as, well, SEXY. With that said, one of the things I wish I had known about that would have made the process feel better (yup, I mean that literally) is a sperm-friendly lubrication. I remember learning about the fact that many lubricants can interfere with sperm doing their jobs, and so it got the boot. Astroglide Trying to Conceive TTC is a fantastic option to consider, as it has been specially formulate to provide an environment where sperm has a good chance of survival. pH levels are adjusted and the consistency is meant to mimic what your body would create during ovulation. Since this is probably going to take a while, I suggest that you do yourself a favor and get a product that will keep you comfortable without causing you to worry that you are diminishing your odds for success.

3. Sponteneity is Important!
Are you charting your body temperature to determine when you are ovulating? That’s a common practice, and it’s a smart one, too. But let me tell you from personal experience that there’s something to be said for practicing some old habits and being spontaneous with your rendezvous, rather than simply focusing on doing what the chart says. I charted like it was MY JOB when we were trying for our first child, and distinctly remember leaving town for a few days for a business conference, at least 4 days past when all of my charts said it was even possible for me to conceive. My first thought was, “There’s absolutely no point in having sex right now.” But I was going to miss my husband, and so…you know…

I guarantee you that this is when our little Darah came to be, based on how she measured and when my due date was. It wasn’t even possible on paper, and yet, it happened. Thank goodness for a little sponteneity, am I right?!

I know this can be an overwhelming time, especially when you don’t get that “big fat positive” sign you are looking for after your first round of trying. But I promise you that there was a time when sex was a lot of fun for you and your partner, and you really can tap back into that by opting for spontaneous, comfortable fun together!

Animal Trackers Club Subscription Service Review

June 16, 2015 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

Complimentary box provided for review purposes. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

I agreed to review the Animal Trackers Club subscription box for kids because my oldest is particularly fond of animals. Her favorite cartoon is Wild Kratts (all about different animals in the wild) and one of her favorite things to do is to tell anyone who will listen all sorts of interesting and even random animal facts.

The Animal Trackers Club seems designed for kids over 3, but probably not older than 5, based on the skill level of the activities included.

Our kit came with the following items:

Introduction to the Animal Trackers Club
Animal Trackers Club Safari Lunchbox
African Savanna Information Card
Cover and Ring for the Safari Animal Photo Collection
Savanna Art Project
Savanna Animal Cards Activity

Each month your child will receive:

Animal Information Card
Animal Play Figure
Animal Foam Mask
Animal Magnet
Safari Animal Photo Card
Learning Activity
Art Project

So the lunchbox is a one-and-done kind of deal. The box is $11.95 plus shipping each month. This subscrition service is a bit less expensive than many of the other subscription boxes I have tried, and I think you get what you pay for here, as the activities, in my opinion, lacked imagination.

I will say that this might be a great choice for the animal loving-child who isn’t particularly fond of arts and crafts. I think I was expecting activities that were a bit more involved, when the reality was that we had a few worksheets, each of which only took a few minutes to complete, a craft that involved styrofoam (yuck) and a sticker activity that took about 30 seconds.

Now with that said, the animal figure and the animal mask that came in the kit were big hits, and the girls played with them for quite some time. So I could see this being a draw to the child who loves to form a collection, as each month you will get an animal figure and an animal mask to stow away in your safari lunchbox so that you can easily play all sorts of animal-based imaginative games. But the other activities will be over and done surprisingly fast.

The activities also seem geared toward those just learning letters and numbers, which will make them too old for the 7 or 8-year old who really loves animals and might otherwise enjoy the subscription. I think the target age here is small (3-5?) but for that age group, it could be a hit. It wasn’t a hit for us, but it wasn’t a complete miss, and I should remind us all of its price point again, which is lower than most subscription boxes for kids.

Chocolate Mint Pudding Using Fresh, Simple Ingredients

June 16, 2015 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

This post brought to you by DairyPure Milk. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Stuff Parents Need.

Last week our Community Support Agriculture (CSA) basket fro our local farmer included some fresh mint. The smell was out-of-this-world and I immediately knew that I wanted to make something fabulous with it.

I also know who I am in the kitchen: someone who likes to get in and out without too much hassle. I thought perhaps a chocolate mint pudding mightbe the perfect use for this mint. I’d love to show you how easy it is to recreate a made-from-scratch pudding!

I think the bulk of your success with this recipe is going to happen when you choose your ingredients. I recommend choosing local for as much as you can, as well as choosing items that aren’t highly processed. For example, when you are selecting your milk, look for the DairyPure sign on the carton. You can Learn more about DairyPure by clicking the link, but the main thing you should know is that only DairyPure milk comes with the exclusive 5 Point Purity Promise:

No artificial growth hormones (No significant difference has been shown between milk derived from cows treated with the artificial growth hormone rbST and non‐rbST‐treated cows.”)
All milk is tested for antibiotics
Continuously quality tested to ensure purity
Only from cows fed a healthy diet
Cold shipped fresh from your local dairy

I also opted for locally grown mint and eggs. I went with a more naturally processed cacao powder and I chose a coconut sugar, which is lower on the glycemic index and doesn’t result in a sugar crash when you consume it.

Chocolate Mint Pudding

Ingredients:

2 cups DairyPure whole milk
1/3 cup fresh mint leaves, muddled
1/2 cup coconut sugar
1/3 cup natural cacao powder
4 tsp cornstarch
3 large egg yolks
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt

Servings: 6 smaller servings or 4 larger servings

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cooking time: 40 minutes

Total time (including chilling): 4 hours, 45 minutes

Begin by removing the leaves from your mint and placing in a bowl. Add 1 Tbsp from the milk you have set aside, and 1 Tbsp from the sugar you have set aside. Use a muddler to crush the mint leaves, or simply use the back of a spoon. Crushing or bruising the leaves releases the oils much better than chopping, so the flavor will be better. Muddle for about 10 seconds.

Place the remaining milk in a saucepan and heat until it is hot to the touch but not boiling. Add the crushed mint mixture and turn off the heat, allowing the leaves to steep in the milk for half an hour.

Meanwhile, combine cornstarch, salt, egg yolks and vanilla extract in a bowl. Mix well and set aside.

Once the mint has steeped in the milk for half an hour, remove the mint. If few tiny bits remain, don’t sweat it! Now slowly add the egg mixture to the steeped milk, stirring constantly while combining.

Return the saucepan to the stove. Add the sugar and cacao powder and cook over medium-high heat, whisking constantly until it begins to boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low or low (just enough for a gentle simmer) and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until thick, whisking almost constantly (whisking makes it frothy, so you will have to stop here and there to see if it is boiling, yet).

Place the pudding in individual serving cups and chill until set (at least 4 hours) (yes the waiting is the harest part).

The finished product is worth the wait, and that pop of fresh mint is delightful in every way. This is a yummy sweet treat that actually isn’t overwhelmingly sweet, which I love. I hope you’ll try it!

Want more fresh ideas? Get some DairyPure Recipe inspiration on Pinterest and follow DairyPure on Facebook.

Wardrobe Hack: Sudden Breeze Solutions! #SavedBySkimmies

June 15, 2015 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

This post brought to you by Jockey Skimmies®. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Stuff Parents Need.

I don’t know about you, but I like to imagine that when I’m rockin’ a cute little summer dress and that unexpected gust of wind comes at me that I look just like this:

“Did that unexpected breeze just blow my dress up a bit to reveal my perfect legs? Gee, I was so busy BEING FIERCE that I hardly noticed!”

There’s no shame in channeling your inner-Beyonce. I do it all the time. However, it’s also good to realize what you ACTUALLY look like when it gets windy out. Allow me to provide an example for you:

What we have here is a case of The Flash Cycle, which Jockey® defines as trying to keep covered when an unexpected breeze picks up in The Solutionary™. Unfortunately, when your hair and your dress fly up at the same time, you may notice one before the other and put your efforts there. I was working hard on controlling the hair situation, but in so doing, I gave everyone a bit of a show. AWKWARD.

I have actually walked several blocks in downtown Chattanooga while on a date, clutching to the hem of my dress because I thought once was enough for publicly flashing folks that evening. Also AWKWARD.

There is a solution to the Flash Cycle, though, and it does not involve swearing off skirts and dresses or learning how to control the forces of nature. All you need is the Jockey Skimmies® Slipshort to add to your ensemble. Skimmies are these super lightweight, super soft articles of clothing that feel and function like a slip, but wear like a pair of shorts. They can help keep your bum covered during a gust of wind, and they also offer some great anti-static defense. Basically, they provide a dose of confidence so you can rock that outfit the way you know you can. And if you are like me, you are forever looking flawless, anyway.

I think the Original Microfiber Skimmies are a must-have for every girl’s wardrobe. That’s what I’m wearing in the photo above. They come in longer or shorter styles, and in several different colors.

I also really like the Anti-static Skimmies for those skirts and dresses that like to cling to your body, even when the wind isn’t gusting. I’ve noticed that problem with the dress I’m wearing below, so these will pair nicely together and keep me from fussing with my dress too much.

And if you spend time at the gym, like to go for walks for exercise, or just enjoy the occasional yoga class, the Wicking Skimmies are a fantastic option because they are designed to help prevent chafing and keep you comfortable and dry throughout your workout.

Basically, what I’m saying is that whatever your “skirty” situation might be, Jockey Skimmies have an answer by way of The Solutionary™. Check it out to determine which pair might help you out the most. Or, let’s just be honest: you might want to get them all.

Jockey Skimmies® retail for $20-$22 and they fit LIKE A DREAM. Please do not assume that these fit snugly and will be just one more layer to make you even more uncomfortable. Heck no, my friends. They feel amazing. Pinky promise!

Have you ever had an awkward fashion moment that could be solved by The Solutionary? And am I the only one who had convinced herself that she looked not at all awkward when pulling her dresses back down over her underwear after a wind gust? 😉

Remembering Dad: The Smile Put on Canvas

June 15, 2015 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

Product received for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Affiliate links may be included.

Every holiday this year is hard because my family is missing a very important member: my father-in-law.

We are heading toward Father’s Day with a lump in our throats to put it mildly. The pain of the loss is still too fresh to greet any holiday with all smiles.

And yet, I know what Dad would want us to do when thinking of him. He would want us to smile. He had such a jubilant personality and could be counted on to inject a healthy dose of fun into any and every situation. It helps to remember that. And this is one way that I have worked on keeping that truth front of mind: I have put that iconic smile of his on canvas so we can focus on joy. That’s his legacy, after all. We need to get started living it out, even if we can only manage a little at a time for now.

Can you see that twinkle, friends? It’s a knowing smile that Dad had. He’d seen the world a few times over. He’d never met a stranger. He’d rarely missed out on an opportunity for adventure. His was a life well-lived. And I simply can’t NOT smile back at him. This canvas print is a treasure to me.

I know some of you are also missing your fathers And some of you may still have your fathers in your lives. Either way, this is a great opportunity to celebrate, and a beloved print on canvas is a great way to do it.

It makes me happy to see his smile every day. Your dad might be tickled to get to see his kids or his grandkids every day in his home, as well. Or maybe you could use his smile in your own home.

Fabness is an online site specializing in canvas prints. I uploaded the photo I used and had it sized correctly in about 6 minutes. Once I ordered it, it arrived to me in 4 days; quite fast, I thought!

And right now you can get 70% off and free shipping on any of the sizes below. It’s a heck of a deal and I promise that you will be bringing some joy to the recipient of it. And if you are married with kids, don’t forget about your own husband! These canvas prints are beautiful to hang in your home or even in an office.